I spent this past weekend in San Francisco visiting family. The hotel where my husband and I stayed had a fridge, freezer and microwave in the room. I never realized how handy those three items could be when traveling! Since this was a road trip, I packed a cooler bag in the back of the car and loaded it up with food that was portable and healthy. Breakfast items included frozen berries, almond butter, soymilk and oats that could be soaked overnight in the fridge. I also brought along a giant papaya that I sliced over the three days and served along with the oatmeal. Breakfast = done!
My favorite food item that I brought along were these Chocolate Oat Energy Bars:
These bars came in handy for breakfast, snacks and even a dessert. The ingredients are so simple but the results were great! I love that these bars have no added sugar, but do have some sweetness thanks to the raisins. This recipe makes enough for four good-sized bars. I haven’t done a nutritional analysis, but my instincts estimate them to be about 225 calories each. If you don’t have any of the ingredients, just leave it out or add a little more of the others.
Chocolate Oat Energy Bars – Serves 4
Ingredients:
2 cups rolled oats
1 tablespoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons chocolate hemp protein powder
1 teaspoon maca powder
1 tablespoon chocolate nibs
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup raisins
2 tablespoons almond butter
1/2 cup unsweetened soymilk
1 tablespoon unsweetened dried shredded coconut
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Stir to combine. Divide into four servings and refrigerate overnight.
How easy does this look? Combine:
Stir:
Plop onto saran wrap:
And refrigerate:
One of the highlights of my trip this past weekend was a visit to the vegan restaurant Gracias Madre. I didn’t take photos of my food because it was a little dark inside, but the food was outstanding. This is one of those restaurants that sets the bar for what good food can be. I did take a photo of the mural in the courtyard of the restaurant:
They definitely have a Mexican heritage theme going on, while at the same time being hip, chic and innovative. Muchas gracias!!!
Recommendations for restaurants that blow your mind?
{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
these bars look delicious, I love staying healthy when traveling it seriously makes me feel soo good!
Hi Carrie, I’m not sure if you remember me but we met when I was working at STRIDE and you were interested in working on some grant writing for us? Anyway, love your blog and can’t wait to read more! The bars look delicious
Thanks Caitlin! I’m so glad you found me and of course I remember you! Are you still at CP working on your internship? I am still working on my MPH but think I’m going to pursue the RD, too.
Yes, go for the RD! I love it. I’m just about finished with the internship in June, I can’t wait!
Very cool, great job Caitlin!
The bars look great! I love stuff like that….but just have trouble eating one portion at a time
I think my fave restaurant to visit is Pure Food and Wine in NYC…and the juice bar One Lucky Duck. We’ve been known to go to the city and eat there for every meal throughout a weekend!
Ohhh, thanks for the recommendations Lisa. I will for sure try them on my next trip to NYC! I have had that exact experience of eating at the same restaurant for every meal. I LOVE finding places like that.
Is Gracias Madre unreal, or what?! I’ve never been anywhere else like it. That said, as far as SF goes, Millennium totally lived up to the hype too.
Hi Amber, I tried Millenium on my last trip to SF but for some reason liked Gracias Madre a lot more. Have you tried Cafe Gratitude? I’m going to try it on my next trip.
Yes! Café Gratitude is another can’t-miss.
Hi Carrie! Your bars look so yummy! Great idea! Will definitely have to try these.
My fave restaurant that literally blows my mind is – Au Lac in Fountain Valley. It’s a raw restaurant and the food is amazing! I’ve always wanted to try Cafe Gratitude and am so stoked they now have one in LA. I’m so excited to be back in California and am anxious to try all the great restaurants!
Thanks for the raw restaurant recommendation. I just recently had my first professionally-prepared raw food and it was incredible.
I’ve been wanting to make my own “granola” bar / breakfast bar – thanks for the great recipe!!! Looks great!
Hi Ginny, the drawback to these bars is that that they have to stay refrigerated, but I’ll work on a baked version.
YUMMMMMMYYYY!!!! I love how this is NO SUGAR ADDED!!!
I know! Amaing, right?
The bars look good. What does maca powder do?
I’ve heard maca is good for energy. I use it sparingly.
I love the energy bar idea – and for that matter, I love going on trips and packing all my healthy food. You feel so much better when you’ve eaten right when traveling… you also save a lot of money.
If you’re ever in Connecticut you must try It’s Only Natural Restaurant in Middletown. They serve delicious and beautiful vegan food (and have great, funky decor), and you need to leave room for dessert – their vegan cakes are amazing.
I am glad that my last comment brightened your day- and I realized that I (and likely many others) have used many of your recipes and neglected to post feedback! I will endeavor to make comments on all the recipes I have tried
I make these every week on Sunday night to have a grab n go breakfast for myself in the morning. It’s one less excuse not to go running before work due to needing time for making breakfast. I have added different things which are yummy- dried cranberries instead of raisins, chopped pecans or macadamia nuts or whatever nuts I have around. I find having something crunchy in there makes my mouth happy. Thanks for sharing this easy recipe.
Hi Devon! Thanks for the feedback, I do really appreciate it. I love the variations of the Grab ‘n Go bars that you’re making, they sound wonderful and would make my mouth happy, too!!!
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